Lake Emily

How big is Lake Emily?

How deep is Lake Emily?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Emily?

Are there topographical lake maps available Lake Emily?

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Lake Emily

Are there boat launches on Lake Emily?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Emily?

Emily Lake (class 34) is a 273.0 acre lake located in Le Sueur County near the Town of St. Peter. Residential development has disturbed and altered the majority of Emily Lake's shoreline. In areas with residential development, lawns are typically maintained to the water's edge and shorelines are altered with rock riprap or sand blankets, thereby disrupting the natural riparian buffer. Some natural shoreline does exist, primarily on the east side of the lake. A DNR owned boat ramp is located on the south shore of the lake. The sport fish community consists of black crappie, bluegill, and northern pike. The northern pike population is maintained through stocking. Northern pike fry have been stocked 3 out of 4 years at a rate of 30,000/year since 2004. A population assessment was conducted on 7-2-2012 to monitor the sport fish populations in Emily Lake using 6 gill nets and 9 trap nets. Largemouth bass were electrofished on 5-14-2012 because other standard gears do not effectively sample them.

Water quality measurements were collected on 7-2-2012. Emily Lake was experiencing an algae bloom as the water appeared green and had a secchi depth of 3.0 feet. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 10.9 ppm at the surface to 0.1 ppm at 23.0 feet. Thermal stratification of the water column occurred between 12.0 and 14.0 feet of depth as evidenced by a drop in water temperature.

Primary management species include bluegill and black crappie. Bluegill have historically been abundant in Emily Lake as catch rates have varied from 9.3/trap net in 1990 to 154.0/trap net in 2012. The 2012 catch rate of 154.0/trap net is very high when compared to similar lakes, and was the highest bluegill catch rate observed on Emily Lake. Six year classes of bluegill were sampled including age-1 (2011) to age-6 (2006) bluegill. Age-3 bluegills were the most abundant, accounting for 35% of bluegills sampled. Size structure of bluegill was small, with bluegills ranging in length from 2.8 to 8.2 inches and averaging 5.6 inches, and was similar to size structure of bluegills in 2007. Displaying average growth, bluegill averaged 3.3 inches at age-1, 4.6 inches at age-2, 5.6 inches at age-3, 6.5 inches at age-4, 7.4 inches at age-5, and 7.6 inches at age-6.

The 2012 black crappie catch rate (129.4/trap net) nearly doubled from the 2007 catch rate (70.3/trap net), and was consistent with historical catch rates. The catch rate of 129.4/trap net is high when compared to similar lakes. Five year classes (2007-2011) of black crappie were sampled, with age-1 and age-3 crappies representing 32% and 36% of the sample. Black crappie ranged in length from 3.5 to 10.5 inches and averaged 6.9 inches, indicating a relatively small size structure and was similar to size structure in 2007. Black crappie growth was slow in Emily Lake. Black crappie lengths averaged 3.3 inches at age-1, 4.6 inches at age-2, 5.6 inches at age-3, 6.4 inches at age-4, 7.4 inches at age-5, and 7.6 inches at age-6.

Area anglers should be satisfied with the current status of Emily Lake's largemouth bass and northern pike populations. Largemouth bass were captured at a rate of 74.0/hour, which exceeds the management goal of 30.0/hour. Largemouth bass caught electrofishing ranged in length from 2.8 to 20.8 inches and averaged 12.9 inches.

Past northern pike catch rates have varied from 0.1/gill net in 1994 to 17.8/gill net in 2012. The 2012 catch rate of 17.8/gill net was the highest northern pike catch rate observed in Emily Lake, and is high when compared to similar lakes. Four year classes of northern pike were sampled (2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010), with age-2 and age-3 fish representing over 90% of the sample. All four of the year classes sampled corresponded to stocking events. Northern pike lengths ranged from 17.0 to 33.9 inches and averaged 25.0 inches. Northern pike growth was fast, as age-2 and age-3 northern pike averaged 21.7 inches and 27.3 inches, respectively.

Yellow perch abundance increased from 12.0/gill net in 2007 to 45.8/gill net in 2012, which is the highest observed catch rate of yellow perch in Emily Lake. Although abundant, yellow perch were small, not exceeding 7.3 inches in length. Yellow perch ranged in length from 5.5 to 7.3 inches and averaged 6.1 inches. Age-3 yellow perch accounted for 82% of the sample.

One age-8 walleye was captured in the survey, measuring 27.9 inches. Bigmouth buffalo, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, and pumpkinseed were also present, but occurred in low numbers.

Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future.

Shoreline areas on the land and into the shallow water provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesota's lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines cannot support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural undeveloped lakes. Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants, and natural lake bottom soils.

Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion, and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

What is the average air temp for Lake Emily?

Are there any state parks near Lake Emily?